Condo Inspection: Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 - October 6, 2026

Electrical Panel and Wiring

This unit's electrical panel was the single biggest concern of the inspection, with six separate findings tied to it. The panel is a Challenger panel, a brand home inspectors flag by name alongside Federal Pacific "Stab-Lok" and Zinsco, due to a documented history of breakers that don't reliably trip under overload conditions, worth having evaluated by a licensed electrician with a plan to budget for replacement. On top of that, the panel had double-tapped breakers (two conductors landed on a terminal designed for one, which can cause a loose connection and overheating), a neutral service wire that couldn't be identified, and was installed in an improper location (bathroom). The panel was also improperly labeled and had been spray painted, both easy to fix but signs it hasn't been well maintained. Connected fixtures throughout the unit had exposed or missing bulb covers, a shock and fire risk, along with some simply non-working or missing bulbs.

Water Heater

The water heater's TPR (temperature and pressure relief) discharge pipe was improperly installed. This is one of the most important safety devices on a water heater, and an improperly routed discharge pipe can direct scalding water or hot steam somewhere unsafe during an overpressure event instead of safely away from anyone nearby. The unit was also missing its drain pan and its electrical shutoff switch, both straightforward additions that should be made at the same time.

Kitchen

The range didn't have an anti-tip bracket installed, a simple safety device that keeps the stove from tipping forward if weight is put on an open oven door. The food waste disposal wasn't operational and should be repaired or replaced, and one of the plumbing fixtures had slow drainage.

Interiors

A loose transition strip in the flooring was flagged as a trip hazard and should be secured. Other interior findings were mostly minor and cosmetic: a damaged window screen, caulk and paint needed at the windows, cosmetic issues on the ceilings and walls and trim, and a cabinet door that wasn't opening properly.

Bathroom

The bathroom sink was cracked and should be evaluated for replacement, and both the sink and the tub had slow or clogged drainage. An exhaust fan was not operational, and a separate general bathroom fan was also found defective, worth confirming whether these refer to the same fan or two separate ones when scheduling repairs.

Garage and Exterior

The garage's weather stripping was damaged or missing, and a dedicated outlet was needed, both relatively minor. Settlement cracks were noted in the garage's concrete slab, worth monitoring for further movement. Outside, the patio had some cracking, typical of a concrete slab's age and exposure and usually a maintenance item rather than a structural concern.

Fireplace, Heating, and Cooling

The fireplace was recommended for a chimney sweep and Level 2 inspection before use, standard practice before a change of ownership. Heat in this unit is provided by electric baseboard heating, which was inspected and functioning, and cooling is handled by a separate AC system that was tested and found to be working. The clothes washer was also noted as a good candidate for a drip pan, a low-cost addition that protects the floor below in case of a future leak.

Overall

With 48 items inspected, this unit's electrical panel is by far the priority item here. The Challenger panel, double-tapped breakers, unidentified neutral wire, and improper panel location are all reasons to have a licensed electrician evaluate the system before relying on it further. The water heater's TPR discharge pipe and the missing anti-tip bracket on the range are the other two safety items worth addressing promptly, both inexpensive fixes.